I just had to bat: Flower

Grant Flower revealed the secret of his success at Trent Bridge on Thursday by saying simply: "I just had to bat."

Zimbabwe scored a shock win over hosts England and Flower starred with a stunning 96 not out when all seemed lost after his team had slumped to 15-4 chasing 192.

Afterwards, he said: "We had nothing to lose. We didn't have a lot of batsmen left but a lot of overs to bat in.

"If we had been chasing 240 or 250 it would have been a different story but we could afford to have a few dot balls.

Maher for Glamorgan

BBC Sport exclusively revealed that Australian international Jimmy Maher is returning to Glamorgan, following the injury to Dragons captain Steve James.

Maher was a key figure for the county in 2001 when Glamorgan won promotion to Division One of the one-day league.

The opening batsman will join compatriot Mike Kasprowicz at Sophia Gardens, in an about-turn on Glamorgan's policy of only using one overseas player.

That decision was based on a lack of funding and a desire to nurture home-grown talent, but with the influential captain Steve James out for at least six months expediency has won the day.

We were getting a bit too relaxed: Hall

South Africa are determined to put the passion back into their cricket on the current tour to England

All-rounder Andrew Hall believes that, in part, can be explained by the team going stale after a run of success against virtually every other team apart from Australia.

"We had been doing really well and winning games comfortably and confidently - and maybe we were getting a bit too relaxed about it," he commented.

"Maybe we were not keeping ourselves upbeat about the fact that you are playing for your nation.

"That it is an absolute privilege, and 45 million or so are sitting at home thinking 'I wish I could play for my national side'."

"The guys have really stuck to it and are trying now to build on the base that we have set - of bringing the passion and respect back into the side," said Hall.

Warne vows to never forget

Shane Warne has vowed never to forget his 14 new mates.

Warne has shared a two-week trip across America with 10 cancer-affected Victorians and four minders as part of the Challenge Trip of a Lifetime - a treat where youngsters are given an unforgettable holiday. "I'll take away 14 friends," Warne said.

The US adventure began in Las Vegas and continued through Los Angeles, Florida, Washington DC and New York.

The courage of Warne's "fantastic" travel companions left the cricketer with fond memories.

"We've already talked about reunions and the guys want to come over to my place for a barbecue and meet my kids and stuff like that, so we'll probably do that down the track," Warne said.

Warne said the trip made him realise how lucky he was.

"I think, if anything, how lucky you are to do what you are doing, do something you love doing," he said.

"I'm very lucky. I have three healthy kids and I'm just very lucky to be in my position."

Aussies will be rusty

The Australians, resting after an arduous tour of the West Indies, will go into the Test without a practice match or a training camp.

Asked if it would be the most limited preparation he could recall, Waugh said: "I think it will be."

Bangladesh, on the other hand, will go into the Test with three lead-up matches under its belt.

Waugh wasn't too worried about his players jumping up off the couch, switching off the football matches on TV, and taking to the field with such little lead-in.

"I'm assuming the guys who played both the Tests and one-dayers in the West Indies won't be picking up a bat or a ball until next week at least," Waugh said.

"I think we'll be scratchy and not that well prepared ... but the guys are used to that now and they know how to get themselves prepared but it won't be an extensive build-up."